Program Overview

English (Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies), PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy program in English with a concentration in writing, rhetorics and literacies promotes the study of rhetorical strategies, production, distribution and interpretation of oral, written, digital, visual, discursive, material and symbolic texts.

Program Description

Students study the history, theories and methods of inquiry as well as pragmatic and social actions of writing, rhetoric and literacies. With theories and methods from both historical and contemporary contexts, students learn strategies for inquiry; the ways in which communication creates knowledge and action; and how communication is constructed, circulated, reacted to and repurposed over time and across space. Program requirements are designed to encourage a full understanding of theoretical and applied aspects of writing studies, rhetorical studies and literacy studies. Students also are provided many opportunities to explore the intersections and tensions that exist within and between the three different areas of inquiry.

At a Glance

• College/school: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

• 84 credit hours
• A foreign language exam
• A written comprehensive exam
• An oral comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation
• Required Core (3 credit hours): ENG 501 Approaches to Research (3)
• Concentration (9 credit hours):
  • ENG 551 Rhetorical Traditions (3)
  • ENG 552 Composition Studies (3)
  • ENG 556 Theories of Literacy (3)
• Focus Area (9 credit hours)
• Electives or Research (48 credit hours)
• Other Requirements (3 credit hours): ENG 588 Writing for Publication (3)
• Culminating Experience (12 credit hours): ENG 799 Dissertation (12)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• All applicants must submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Academic writing sample relevant to the field
  • Statement of teaching philosophy (teaching assistantship only)
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

Tuition information can be found on the university's website.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: 01/01 (Final)

Program Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate competing knowledge claims within rhetorical studies and draw relevant interdisciplinary connections between those claims and one's own research topics
• Evaluate and draw from relevant disciplinary histories, theories and methods to support rhetorical inquiry into their research topics
• Design and carry out an original research study that produces data, findings and applied strategies for publication in professional, scholarly venues

Career Opportunities

Professionals with expertise in written communication, research and knowledge management are in high demand across sectors and industries. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data for the development of multimodal content are valuable to businesses, organizations and institutions relying on data-driven strategies. Career examples include:

• Editor and content manager
• English or communications professor
• Human resources specialist
• Market research analyst
• Public relations specialist
• Publishing copy editor or proofreader
• Social media manager
• Technical writer

Research Areas

The program encourages transdisciplinary study, and its flexible requirements enable students to pursue those aspects of the disciplines that interest them the most. Students can explore the intersections and tensions that exist within and between writing studies, rhetorical studies, and literacy studies. The program allows students to develop expertise in areas such as:

• Rhetorical inquiry
• Writing studies
• Literacy studies
• Communication
• Multimodal content development
• Data analysis and measurement
• Knowledge management
• Research methods
• Theories of literacy
• Composition studies
• Rhetorical traditions